Page 102 of Don't Tell Teacher

As tough as Pauly is, he’s no match for Lloyd, who easily throws him across the room, then sits on him and starts punching his face.

‘Stop!’ I try to grab Lloyd, but he’s strong.

I’m not really sure what happens next, but suddenly I’m on the floor and Lloyd is standing over me, fists clenched.

‘Fuck off. Justfuck off.’

Little Joey jumps on him, arms around his neck, screaming, ‘Lloyd, don’t.Don’t. She’ll put you in prison.’

I get to my feet. ‘Lloyd Neilson, sit downright now.’

My jaw stings – I think I caught a punch somewhere along the line.

Lloyd doesn’t sit down. Instead, he starts pacing the room like a caged dog.

Pauly watches him, looking worried.

Joey is crying.

In training, I was told to exit any situation that gets physical, for my own safety. I think that’s what the boys expect me to do. But I can’t leave them. They haven’t even had dinner.

‘Listen.’

Three faces turn to me.

‘What are you still doing here?’ Lloyd asks. ‘Leave. Go on. Grass me up to whoever.’

‘I’m going to get you some fish and chips,’ I say. ‘And when I come back, I want you all calm. Okay? Lloyd, you need to sit down.’

Pauly nods rapidly.

Joey says, ‘Yesss!’

Lloyd glares.

‘Okay, Lloyd?’ I say, my voice sterner.

‘Lloyd,’ Joey whispers. ‘She’s gonna get us fish and chips. Say yes or you’ll go to prison.’

Lloyd looks at his shoes. ‘All right then.’

‘All right, what?’

‘All right, sorry.’ Lloyd sits on the sofa.

‘Lloyd, forget Tom Kinnock for a moment. The headmaster says you’ve stolen medicine from the school before. I need to know if that’s true.’

‘Fucking Cockface. I don’t tell, he don’t tell. Hepromised. Adults are all liars.’

I turn to Joey and Pauly. ‘You two – upstairs. Right now.’

The boys exchange worried glances, then two little pairs of feet trot upstairs.

‘Lloyd, this isextremelyimportant.’

Lloyd chews at the skin around his thumbnail. ‘I mean … yeah, I’ve taken medicine. But Mr Cockrun knows about it. He lets me.’

‘That doesn’t sound quite right, Lloyd.’

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